Stone Roof House, Philadelphia
Quick Facts
E 18°34'59''
Budget Getaways Review
"I was bruised and battered and I couldn't tell what I felt. I was unrecognizable to myself…" (Bruce Springsteen, Streets of Philadelphia)
Never heard of Philadelphia, have you? Well, it exists, and it does so a mere pebble's throw from your front doorstep - 25km north Durbanville, to be precise.
This quaint little village dozing at the Swartland's gateway actually sprung up 150 years ago, when local farmers got gatvol with the long Nagmaal trip to Cape Town. So, like any good farmer worth his salt, they maaked 'n plan and built a church of their own. And so Philadelphia came into being…
A century and a half later this tranquil and pretty much unknown village remains as appealing, as a quick-and-easy breather from the Mother City. Heck, there are even Capetonians who've made a permanent home of the place!
Appointed behind an olive grove Stone Roof House is a creative eco-effort, with a stone roof set above a layer of wood and clay, and below that a nice mix of exposed rafters, white cement and raw wood finishes split over two levels.
Downstairs you’ll find the dining area, fully-equipped open-plan kitchen (with dishwasher), and a comfortable lounge with fireplace. All of which open to a veranda and braai area.
The main bedroom with Queen bed and en-suite bathroom (with bath) are down below, while up the curved timber staircase you’ll discover two more spacious rooms with twin beds and a Queen bed, respectively - plus, another full bathroom. As such the house sleeps seven total.
The sprawling upstairs timber deck is probably where we would find ourselves most of the time, surveying the Swartland's wheatfields and Perdeberg in the far distance - naturally with stiff sundowner in hand.
It appears you have a good spread of home comforts at Stone Roof, ranging from wifi internet, TV (SABC) and a Weber braai. So while the house and immediate surrounds has enough to hold your attentions, for the restless there are the delights of Philadelphia itself. Art galleries, nearby wine farms, coffee shops, a boerekos buffet at De Malle Meul (the old village grain mill), mountain biking, walking, horse riding… Man, this sounds like an undiscovered jewel in the making!
Pack the station wagon, crank up The Boss on the Blaawpunkt, and head for hills. This is one getaway where there will be none of the usual, "Ag daddy, when are we going to get there?"
"My girlfriends and I spent a memorable weekend at Stone Roof House. The House and attractions of the village was the perfect setting to celebrate a few of our 'milestones' and achievements, via pottery painting, photography lessons, a labyrinth walk at 'Die Malle Meul', poetry readings, exchanges of gifts and thanksgiving rituals conducted within the walls of the house. And of course the sharing of memorable meals and wine made by the hosts Greg and Rose. The ambience and natural beauty of the house was the perfect setting for our 'gathering of women'. Thank you Rose for a perfect stay."
(visited August 2012)
"We had an awesome time; its very homely and the hospitality was great! Thank you Rose and Greg for the home away from home. Will definately visit again."
(visited August 2012)
"This easy recognisable house in Philadelphia offers a comfortable stay if you appreciate the unusual and characterful rather than the bland and perfect. It's a hotchpotch of kitchenware, linen and books, but the more memorable impressions are of the simple beauty of the staircase or the surprise of a bath nestled in a corner. Two stoep areas offer vistas of Swartland and olive trees to enhance a sense of absolute peace and escape. We also had the unexpected gift of freshly baked bread, a bottle of garagiste wine (made by the owners) and a bottle of fresh goats milk to add to a memorable stay! (via Flipkey.com)"
(visited May 2012)
Sage Cottage
Cape Town area, Western Cape
Set amidst a fairy-tale garden on a tranquil street in West Beach, this little garden cottage isn’t your run-of-the-mill backyard bolthole. Charm and character are ...
Rate Guide
From R1600 nightly for the cottage
5 Camp Street Self-Catering, City Bowl
Cape Town area, Western Cape
This fairly new establishment located just off Cape Town's happening Kloof Street is a a good-value option with an accompanying package of convenient bells and whistles. ...
Rate Guide
From R1800 to R5000, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Kalk Bay Cottage
Cape Town area, Western Cape
Found on the slopes of Boyes Drive, Kalk Bay Cottage has 2 beautiful bedrooms, both with en-suite bathrooms. The rooms are furnished with one Queen bed and bunk bed with...
Rate Guide
From R2000 per unit, depending on unit and time of year
Hout Bay Gem
Cape Town area, Western Cape
Hout Bay Gem is a double-storey guest house offering self-catering holiday accommodation in Hout Bay, close to World of Birds and a short drive away from Hout Bay beach a...
Rate Guide
From R1700 to R2000, depending on unit, guests and time of year
Where You'll Also Find Us
Arniston (Waenhuiskrans) • Barrydale • Beaufort West • Betty's Bay • Bonnievale • Bot River • Bredasdorp • Caledon • Calitzdorp • Cape Agulhas and Struisbaai • Cape Town area • Ceres • Citrusdal • Clanwilliam & Cederberg • Darling • De Rust • Franschhoek • Gansbaai • George • Grabouw & Elgin Valley • Greyton • Heidelberg • Hermanus • Knysna • Ladismith • Laingsburg • Lamberts Bay • Langebaan • Malgas • Matjiesfontein • McGregor • Montagu • Mossel Bay • Napier • Oudtshoorn • Paarl • Paternoster • Plettenberg Bay • Prince Albert • Pringle Bay, Betty's Bay and Kleinmond • Riebeek West and Riebeek-Kasteel • Riversdale • Riviersonderend • Robertson • St Helena Bay • Stanford • Stilbaai • Strand, Gordon's Bay and Somerset West • Swellendam • Tulbagh • Velddrif • Vermaaklikheid • Wilderness • Witsand • Worcester & Hex Valley • Yzerfontein • Baviaanskloof • Cape St Francis & St Francis Bay • East London • Graaff-Reinet • Hogsback • Jeffreys Bay • Makhanda (Grahamstown) • Middelburg • Nieu-Bethesda • Rhodes • Sutherland